Virbhadra Singh sworn in as Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister

Former Union Minister Virbhadra Singh was sworn-in as Himachal Pradesh's chief minister for a record sixth term in Shimla on Tuesday. Governor Urmila Singh administered the oath of office and secrecy to Singh on the historic Ridge of Shimla town.

The oath ceremony was attended by thousands of Virbhadra supporters, elected and former MLAs, former ministers and politicians from neighbouring states.

Newly elected Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh during oath ceremony in Shimla. (Photo by: Amit Kumar)Singh's supporters who had started gathering at his private residence Holly lodge early in the morning accompanied him along with his family members to the venue. The supporters danced to the tune of folk songs and music and raised slogans to celebrate the occasion.

Oath of office and secrecy to the chief parliamentary secretaries was administered by the Chief Minister.

Singh drove straight to state secretariat to assume the office where he was welcomed by hundreds of state government employees.

AICC secretary Asha Kumari who won election from Dalhousie constituency together with Anil Sharma (Sukh Ram's son) who won from Mandi (Sadar) have not been accommodated as ministers. Sources said Asha Kumari's name has been dropped from the list as she is facing a land grab case. Anil Sharma has not even been inducted as chief parliamentary secretary.

Two of Singh's opponents --- G S Bali and Kaul Singh Thakur ---have been inducted as Cabinet ministers in the first go. Singh is likely to allot departments to the Cabinet ministers this week.